NCAA FB

No. 3 Clemson hopes to get going vs. Wake Forest

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP)

Quarterback Tajh Boyd is ready to get himself and the offense of
the third-ranked Clemson Tigers back in rhythm after a pair of
so-so showings.

Clemson (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) got away with the
drop-offs against South Carolina State and North Carolina State in
its past two games. Boyd hopes to crank things up Saturday when
Wake Forest (2-2, 0-1) comes to Memorial Stadium.

Boyd spent the offseason as one of the most hyped players in
college football based on his record-setting seasons and his
decision to pass on the NFL for a final year with the Tigers. And
while Boyd accounted for five touchdowns in a 38-35 season-opening
victory over then fifth-ranked Georgia, he's looked off-target and
out of synch at times in Clemson's past two outings.

Boyd rallied Clemson past the Wolfpack in the second half,
connecting on 9-of-11 passes for 100 yards and touchdowns of 30 and
15 yards to Martavis Bryant. Still, Boyd knows he and the offense
can and should do better.

''In this offense and the position I'm in, rhythm is everything.
I think we got that in the second half. I think that it will
continue with this stretch that we have,'' he said.

Boyd has not had much trouble with Wake Forest's defense the
past two seasons, throwing for 771 yards and seven touchdowns in
Clemson's two victories. He needed only about a half to put away
the Demon Deacons a year ago, connecting for a school record 428
yards passing and tying another with five TD throws in a 42-13
win.

Wake Forest appeared in free fall after losing to Boston College
and Louisiana-Monroe earlier this month, but got a much needed
victory at Army last week. Demon Deacons coach Jim Grobe says
facing Boyd is an entirely different challenge for his growing
defense because of the senior's dual-threat ability.

''You can talk about it all you want to, but it's really unusual
to find a guy that throws it like he does and runs it effectively
like he does,'' Grobe said.

---

Here are five things to watch when Wake Forest plays No.
Clemson:

CLEMSON WANTS TO SCORE: The Tigers were expected to put up large
numbers each time they play, but are fifth in the ACC in total
offense and sixth in scoring. Clemson's record for points came
against Wake Forest in an 82-24 bludgeoning at Death Valley during
the 1981 national championship season. Don't expect the Tigers to
put up those kind of numbers, but Clemson offensive coordinator
Chad Morris and Boyd want to make a strong statement that they can
still put lots and lots of points on the scoreboard.

DEACONS PASS DEFENSE: The Demon Deacons are among the best in
the ACC against the pass with 143 yards allowed a game. Nose tackle
Nikita Whitlock is a big reason why; he's part of a pass rush
that's difficult to stop. If he can get in Boyd's face quickly,
Wake Forest might have a chance to disrupt the Tigers fast-moving
offense. That's been the secret to slowing down Boyd.

UNDISCIPLINED TIGERS: Clemson's had a couple of character issues
that coach Dabo Swinney and Boyd are unhappy about. Reserve Isaiah
Battle won't play because he threw a punch at Wolfpack defender
Jarvis Byrd. Tigers receiver Martavis Bryant, the team's
second-best wideout due to the season-ending injury to Charone
Peake, will have his playing time reduced because he made a
throat-slashing gesture on his first touchdown catch at North
Carolina State.

WAKE FOREST's CAMPNARO: The ACC's top receiver based on catches
per game will be on the Demon Deacons' sideline Saturday. Michael
Campanaro tied an ACC mark with 16 catches in a loss to
Louisiana-Monroe - and has had success against Clemson. Two years
ago at Death Valley, he caught nine passes for 71 yards and had a
50-yard punt return TD as Wake led 28-14 in the second half. The
Tigers rallied for a 31-28 win that clinched the ACC Atlantic
Division.

LEAVE IT TO BEASLEY: Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley leads the
ACC with five sacks. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound converted tight end
has used his lightning-quick first step to rush past offensive
lineman and cause backfield havoc. That's helped the Tigers to an
improved showing on defense, which has averaged 310 yards and 14
points its past two games.

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